A “Building Commissioner” will have responsibility for auditing people who work in the industry, the NSW government says in its long-awaited response to a major review of regulation of the building and construction sector.
The government will also tighten protections for homeowners and owners’ corporations, to help ensure they receive compensation if builders or engineers have been negligent.
An engineering firm investigating Sydney's cracked Opal Tower has found the building is "structurally sound overall" but the cause of the cracks is still unknown.
WSP, one of the investigators being employed by the building company Icon, said on Monday investigators have accessed all key locations in the Sydney Olympic Park apartment tower and found the building is "structurally sound overall".
An immediate audit of private building certifiers will be launched by the state government to ensure the safety of high-rise living.
The safety blitz will take place in the wake of the Opal Tower emergency and is designed to restore confidence in the increasing number of high-rise residential buildings appearing on the state’s skyline.
The failure of a prefabricated concrete panel in the Opal Tower at Homebush has focused attention on the role of private certifiers, who are responsible for ensuring the work of developers meets legal requirements.
Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation Matt Kean MP announces four point strategy to improved the certification industry.
Minister Kean said there has been growing community concern about dodgy certifiers and, while the cause of the recent problems at the Opal Tower remains unknown, what's happened there has put a spotlight on the industry again.
After being elected as Member for Hornsby in March 2011, I have embarked on many initiatives that the community and I see as pivotal issues for Hornsby. I see and understand the needs of the community and am proud to play my part.
